Interview with Himanshu Shekhar Soni

Himanshu Shekhar Soni ("HSS") interviewed on Tuesday, 31 December.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

HSS : I have been working in the field of industrial design and innovation for over 17 years, specializing in consumer electronics, consumer durables, sanitary ware, stationery, packaging, and toys. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of collaborating with leading companies such as Electrolux, Parker, Hindware, Havells, Kelvinator, BPL, Reliance, Dixon, and several others. These collaborations have given me the opportunity to design a diverse range of products, from home appliances and electronics to sanitary ware and toys, focusing on creating innovative, user-friendly, and functional designs. I hold a Master’s degree in Industrial Design from IIT Kanpur, India, which has provided me with a strong foundation in design principles and creative problem-solving. My education, coupled with practical experience, has enabled me to lead product development projects and contribute to building brands by creating products that are both aesthetically appealing and highly functional. Throughout my career, I’ve been able to refine my skills in product conceptualization, development, and innovation, ensuring that every design I work on not only meets consumer needs but also stands out in competitive markets.

How did you become a designer?

HSS : Becoming a designer felt like a natural progression for me, as I've loved painting and beautiful things since childhood. When I started my engineering studies, I wanted to combine my artistic passion with my technical skills. This led me to explore Industrial Design, where creativity and engineering come together. After researching the field, I confidently chose design as my career path, excited by the opportunity to create innovative and aesthetically pleasing products.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

HSS : When designing, my top priorities are functionality, aesthetics, and user experience. I ensure products are not only practical but also visually appealing and emotionally engaging. Emotion design is important to me, as I aim to create designs that resonate with users on a deeper level. The look and feel of the product is crucial to how users perceive and interact with it. I blend both digital tools like CAD software for precision and hands-on techniques such as mock-ups and physical models to fully understand the user experience. My design process starts with research and understanding the user’s needs, followed by ideation, prototyping, and refining concepts based on feedback. This approach helps me deliver designs that are innovative, functional, and emotionally connected to the user

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

HSS : When designing, I feel a mix of excitement, curiosity, and satisfaction. The most exciting phase is the initial idea, where I get to creatively solve problems and envision possibilities. As the design evolves, I enjoy the journey of refining and improving it. The greatest pleasure comes from seeing the finished product, knowing it meets both the user’s needs and my creative vision. Designing fulfills me by allowing me to express creativity while solving real-world problems. The joy comes from creating something beautiful and functional that has a meaningful impact on people’s lives.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

HSS : My background in artistic nature and a strong aesthetic sense, combined with my education in mechanical engineering, has greatly shaped me as a designer. My artistic background fuels my creativity, while my engineering education provides me with problem-solving skills to approach design challenges from a practical, technical perspective. These combined skills allow me to create designs that are both visually appealing and functional. My journey has been about blending creativity with technical knowledge, which continues to guide and influence my work.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

HSS : My growth path as a designer is focused on expanding my expertise in sustainable design, emerging technologies, and form styling with a strong emphasis on product aesthetics. I aim to be remembered as a designer who blends art and engineering to create innovative, functional, and emotionally resonant products. My dream project would be to design a sensory emotion product, similar to a perfume, that evokes a deep emotional connection through touch, feel, and smell. The design would focus on creating an immersive experience, with textures enhancing physical interaction and scents triggering specific moods or memories. This project would combine emotional design with sensory engagement, crafting a product that touches users in a personal and memorable way. In the future, I aim to take on larger, innovative projects that improve lives, promote sustainability, and integrate form styling to enhance product aesthetics, leaving a lasting, positive impact through thoughtful design.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

HSS : Gain experience and understand how the design and technical development processes take a product from a raw sketch to a prototype, then to production. Listen to yourself and believe that you are capable of anything. Work harder than anyone to develop the necessary skills and always strive to raise the bar in everything you do.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

HSS : fellow designers, artists, and architects, here are some key tips: Collaborate and Seek Feedback: Design is a team effort. Embrace feedback and fresh perspectives to refine your work. Focus on the User: Always design with empathy, keeping the end user’s needs and emotions in mind. Balance Creativity with Practicality: Push creative boundaries but ensure designs are functional and feasible. Refine Your Process: Continuously iterate and improve your designs; the first idea is rarely the best. Simplify: Avoid overcomplicating designs—focus on clarity and emotional impact. Stay Curious: Keep learning and adapting to new trends, tools, and technologies. Step Back: Occasionally distance yourself from a project to gain clarity and fresh insights. Take Risks: Experiment with new ideas and materials; risk often leads to innovation.

What is your day to day look like?

HSS : My day starts with planning and prioritizing—reviewing emails, to-do lists, and catching up on design news to stay inspired. I then focus on creative work, like sketching and refining concepts, while balancing client meetings and project management tasks. Throughout the day, I take small breaks for inspiration, whether it's stepping outside or browsing design books. The little wins, like solving design problems or receiving positive client feedback, keep me motivated and excited. I embrace both the routine and the surprises each day brings, finding joy in the creative process.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

HSS : I believe it’s important to stay aware of design trends, but I also prioritize developing my own personal design style. Trends can be a great source of inspiration, but I prefer to create designs that are timeless and reflect my unique approach. I aim to blend innovation with functionality, creating products and experiences that resonate on a deeper level, rather than focusing solely on what's trendy. That said, I do keep up with the latest trends through various channels like design blogs, industry publications, and design events. I also draw inspiration from a variety of places—nature, art, technology, and user behavior—which inform and influence my work. While I respect trends, I prefer to focus on creating cohesive collections or product families that stand the test of time, reflecting my vision and understanding of the user experience.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

HSS : Good design is a balance of functionality, aesthetics, and user experience. I look for how a design connects with the user through intuitive usability, emotional engagement, and thoughtful interaction. When evaluating a design, I consider: Functionality: Does it solve the problem? Usability: Is it easy to use? Aesthetics: Is it visually appealing? Sustainability: Is it environmentally responsible? A common mistake is overcomplicating a design. The best designs are simple, clear, and purposeful, creating a meaningful connection with users.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

HSS : I know a design is ready when it meets its goals in functionality, usability, and aesthetics, and no further iterations significantly improve it. While design is never truly final, I stop when it effectively solves the problem and resonates with users. A design’s success is measured by user feedback and how well it performs in the real world. Even after completion, I stay open to future improvements but focus on new projects, revisiting past designs only when necessary.

What is your biggest design work?

HSS : Here’s the updated version of your response, including the additional points: Although I have worked on many design projects, each of them holds a unique significance, one of the most challenging and rewarding was designing a single-door refrigerator for the Indian market for Dixon ODM. This project stands out as one of my biggest design works due to its complexity and the cultural context it was designed for. The initial aspiration was to create a refrigerator that was both functional and aesthetically appealing for the Indian market, with specific considerations for energy efficiency, compactness, and affordability. The design also had to address local needs such as space constraints, where maximizing interior utility was essential. Creating innovative storage solutions like a dedicated section for dry storage was key to meeting the diverse requirements of Indian households. The design process involved extensive research into consumer behavior, local preferences, and market conditions. I worked closely with the engineering and production teams to ensure the design was not only visually pleasing but also manufacturable at scale. This project is special because of the challenges it presented. The key aspects that made it stand out were the user-centric approach, local adaptation, and the integration of innovative solutions for energy efficiency and storage. Balancing modern features with the traditional needs of Indian households, while optimizing for interior space, was crucial in delivering a product that aligned with both aesthetic and functional requirements. The most satisfying part of this project was overcoming challenges related to product cost, space optimization, and manufacturing constraints while maintaining the design’s integrity. The final product resonated with the target market and met the client’s expectations, making it one of my most rewarding projects. Currently, I’m working on a few exciting projects that involve sustainable design and smart home technologies, which I’m eager to explore further and push the boundaries of innovation.

Who is your favourite designer?

HSS : I am always inspired by the work of Philippe Starck and Stefano Giovannoni.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

HSS : My lifestyle combines artistic creativity with engineering practicality, deeply influenced by Indian culture. Growing up in India, I was inspired by its rich traditions, crafts, and art forms, which shaped my approach to design. Music and dance play a vital role in my creative process, helping me connect emotionally with my work. Indian culture impacts my designs, inspiring me to blend traditional aesthetics, patterns, and symbolism with modern functionality. I draw from Indian architecture and handcrafts to create products that resonate with local values and needs. One city that inspires me is Varanasi, where tradition and modernity coexist. Currently, I’m working on sustainable design projects, believing good design is crucial for societal advancement. It can solve real-world problems, particularly in India, by improving accessibility and sustainability. In my life, design has introduced small changes, like sustainable practices and ergonomic design, reflecting India’s values of resourcefulness and balance. These incremental improvements positively impact my well-being and align with my cultural roots.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

HSS : My work culture is centered on collaboration, creativity, and integrity. I work both independently and with partners, valuing diverse expertise. When selecting business partners, I prioritize shared vision, commitment to quality, and an understanding of user experience. In employees or collaborators, I look for passion, curiosity, and the ability to think critically and work well with others. My corporate culture emphasizes innovation, quality, and a balance of creative freedom with structured problem-solving. Challenges in my profession include balancing creativity with practicality, meeting client expectations, and managing technical constraints. A good designer must have attention to detail, empathy, adaptability, and a strong work ethic. They should push boundaries while being solution-oriented and user-focused.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

HSS : As a designer, I give back to the community by engaging in pro bono design work for non-profits and community projects, focusing on sustainability and education. I believe designers, artists, and architects should contribute to humanitarian causes, as design has the power to solve social issues and improve lives. I actively support young designers by attending design events and conferences, offering guidance and mentorship. I also provide opportunities through internships and workshops, fostering learning and growth within the design community. For me, good design is about creating purposeful solutions that positively impact society.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

HSS : Attending the A’ Design Award was a positive experience, offering global exposure and valuable networking opportunities with talented designers and industry leaders. Participating in design competitions provides key benefits like Recognition, Networking with industry professionals. Skill development and creative growth. Design competitions are important as they inspire innovation, showcase trends, and push designers to evolve. Being Designer of the Day was an honor, reaffirming my commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.

Himanshu Shekhar Soni Profile